Indrajit

Ravana and his troupe reached Amaravati, the capital of Indra. Indra hearing this, went to Vishnu for help. Vishnu said - In this form, I will not kill Ravana. Brahma has given a boon to Ravana and he will die in my hands. Ravana will not die in the hands of the Gods. For now, go and fight him.

Indra went back. A fierce battle began. Ravana lost his heads in the battle, and new heads grew. Kumbhakarna, who had woken up in Lanka, also joined Ravana. It was a one sided battle. The Gods fought and got defeated by Ravana and his army. Shani, Yama, Pavana and Varuna came and fought but could not stand in front of Ravana.
Meghnad fought with Jayanta, son of Indra and Jayanta had to flee. He went and hid in the nether world taking refuge with his grandfather, the danava called Paulava.
Indra then went to Durga and asked her to help. Durga asked her sixty four attendants to help Indra.
Seeing this, Ravana bowed and said Please return O Mother. If you loose today, It will be a shame for you and me both.
Durga smiled and the sixty four attendants returned back.
A fight between Indra and Ravana started with Ravana on his Pushpaka and Indra on his elephant, Airavata. Indra attacked with the Vajra in his hand and Kumbhakarna came there and said he would eat up the Vajra. He jumped and started swallowing the Gods. Being immortals, they did not die, and somehow managed to escape from his nostrils and ears. Slowly the day came to an end, and Kumbhakarna too went off to sleep. Ravana had Kumbhakarna transported back to Lanka.
Many weapons were exchanged between Indra and Ravana. Soon Indra released a weapon that put Ravana to sleep. Seeing Ravana sleeping, the Gods came and bound him and started tearing at his clothes and weapons.
Meghnad saw this. Rising into the space, he started showering weapons at the Gods. Indra and the Gods were not able to withstand the weapons of Meghnad and had to surrender. Releasing Ravana, Meghnad tied up Indra.
Ravana was pleased with Meghnad.
Ravana and Meghnad then looted and took with them the treasures that they could find. They left of Lanka with the bound Indra as the prisoner.
The Gods went to Brahma and asked for Indra to be released.
Brahma went to Ravana and ordered him to release Indra. Brahma also said to Meghnad the he was pleased with his feat and gave him the name of Indrajit - The one who won over Indra.
Indrajit asked Brahma for the boon of immortality which Brahma refused. Brahma said The one will be able to stop your sacrifice from being completed, will be the one will kill you. Vibhishana knew this so was able to take Lakshmana to destroy the sacrifice before its completion.

Indra was brought there. Brahma said Indra, this happened because of a curse. Once you had destroyed the purity of Ahalya and this is all because of the curse of her husband, Sage Gautama. Brahma asked Indra to take the name of Rama and all his sings would be gone.Indra left.

Ravana the ruled in Lanka. He touched the hair of Sita and whatever life he had, was reduced because of that.

Rama said to the sage - You have told me about Ravana, now do tell me about Hanumana. 

Ravana and Madhu

Ravana was enjoying life, winning battles and capturing women. One day Vibhishana came to him and said - You are lost in your own world and are not aware of what is happening. Our cousin sister, Kumbhanashi, daughter of our maternal uncle, has been abducted by the daitya Madhu.

Ravana said What was Meghnad doing?
Vibhishana said Meghnad was busy with his sacrifice.
Ravana asked What sacrifice is this?
Vibhishana said Under a old banyan tree Meghnad was performing the sacrifice called Nikumbhila. Fasting he stayed in front of the fire and pleased the gods. Agni was pleased and had appeared before Meghnad. Agni had said that if Meghnad completed the sacrifice and went to battle, he would return victorious.

Ravana said Then let Meghnad come with me. We will both go and win over Indra. Then all will worship me. Decking their chariots and picking their weapons, father and son left for the battle.

They crossed the ocean and first went to Mathura where the daitya Madhu was. They dame face to face with Kumbhanashi. She said she had accepted Madhu and it would be unfair of Ravana to kill Madhu and make her a widow.  She said she had a son called Lavana, and killing Madhu would make Lavana an orphan.

Ravana said He would not kill Madhu and would go and win over Indra.
Kumbhanashi went inside and woke Madhu who was sleeping. Madhu wanted to know what had happened and Kumbhanashi told him Ravana had come to kill him. Madhu said he had a spear given by Shiva, and would use that on Ravana. His wife said, You forcibly brought me here and committed a crime, so you yourself have committed a crime. You should not judge Ravana. Do not make an enemy of Ravana. I went to Ravana and have pleased him. He is not angry with you now.

Madhu went and greeted Ravana and welcomed him inside his house.

When Ravana told Madhu that he was going to attack Indra, Madhu decided to go along with Ravana.

Surpanakha widowed

One day Ravana came across a band of daityas and started fighting them, A fierce battle ensued. Ravana defeated the daityas and went home.

When he came home, he was greeted by a wailing Surpanakha. She said Off the daityas that had been killed by Ravana, one of them was her husband.

Ravana said this had happened unknowingly and asked his sister to live with him.

This was the Surpanakha who ears and nose were cut off by Lakshmana. 

Ravana and Rambha

Ravana from there, went to Mount Kailasha and rested there. It was evening. A mild breeze was blowing and the moon was shining brightly. Ravana was alone and wanted a woman. He then spotted the apsara Rambha passing by. He caught her hand and asked her to be with him.
Rambha said You are my father in law, why do you behave thus? Ravana asked her how was that possible.
Rambha said he was the wife of Nalkubera, son of Kubera, thus his daughter in law. As Kubera was the elder brother of Ravana and she was the daughter in law of Kubera, she was thus, his daughter in law also.
Rambha then said she was going to meet her husband and if Ravana left her, she would come another day and be with him.
Ravana laughed and said he would not leave someone whom he had caught.
Rambha pleaded with him but Ravana did not let her go and ravished her.
Rambha escaped and went to Nalkubera and told him what had happened.

Nalkubera said I do not fault you. All fault is of Ravana. Saying he cursed Ravana saying if he ever touched another woman by force, he would die.

Agastya said This was the curse that saved Sita. 

Ravana at Kushadweepa

Agastya said - After this,  Ravana went to Kushadweepa. There he saw a giant. This person had a body the size of a mountain. Seeing this person Ravana asked for battle.
The person said He would make an end to all Ravana's sufferings.
Angry, Ravana started shooting arrows but the arrows, striking the person, bounced off his body.
Seeing his arrows wasting, Ravana was wondering what to do, when this person came and grasped Ravana. Ravana fainted. Throwing Ravana on the ground, Ravana went from there.

When Ravana regained consciousness, he saw no one around. He asked his army if they knew where that person had gone. The people there said the person had vanished into the nether world.

Ravana went where the person had gone. He saw him resting, being served by beautiful women. Ravana tried to touch the women, but one glance from the person and fire came out of his eyes, and Ravana fell down, hurt.

Ravana then asked Who are you?

The person said I do not see any need to identify myself to you.

Ravana said It seems you are only one who can defeat me.

The person said So be it. Saying, he identified himself and Ravana left the place.

Rama asked Agastya - Who was this person?

Agastya said this was none other Vishnu.

Ravana attacks Chandra

The sage continued - Ravana roamed around for combat. It was early morning and Ravana saw the Moon set. This offended him. How could the moon travel over him without greeting him. He decided to go the land of the Moon and fight.
Ravana started his chariot. Crossing his mountains, he came to the spot where Ganga touched the earth as Bhagirathi. Ravana had a bath in the river and proceeded further. He came across Shiva and Parvati and the followers of Shiva. Going further Ravana came face to face with Chandra, the moon.

Seeing Ravana, Chandra started a storm of ice. The army felt defeated. Their hands were becoming numb. Ravana then invoked the fire weapon. Ravana then started showering arrows and Chandra and the stars started fleeing. Chandra went to Brahma and said what had happened.

Brahma came to Ravana said - You have lost your senses. Why do you attack the moon? Leave this place and go in peace.

Not wanting to offend Brahma, Ravana left. 

Ravana and Mandhata

The sage continued - Ravana loved tormenting people. He captured women he liked and if the men protested, he challenged them to duels and defeated them. Then Ravana heard of Madhata, the great king. Ravana decided to fight him.
Mandhata and Ravana began fighting. Mandhata wounded Ravana who fainted. When he gained consciousness, he wounded Mandhata. Two kept fighting, none able to defeat the other.

Brahma sent the sage Bhargava to Mandhata. The sage said to Madhata - Ravana is under the protection of Brahma's boon. He will be killed by a specific weapon. Do not try to kill him now. he will not die but the balance of the world will be disturbed. In your dynasty will be born a person who will kill Ravana.

The battle was without any result. Both went back to their respective kingdoms. 

Ravana in the nether world

Rama asked the sage - What happens to sinners when they die?
Agastya said - Do not worry Rama. One listens to the complete Ramayana will never have to see Yama. Taking the name of Rama was equal to reading the four Vedas.
Rama said - Please tell more about Ravana. What did he do next?
Agastya said - Ravana wanted to win over the nether world. He took his army and decided to attack. Ravana and his army attacked the snakes in the nether world. The snakes ran to Vasuki. Vasuki started using his poison but Ravana using his weapons removed that. He then captured Vasuki and Vasuki agreed that he had been defeated. Ravana then let Vasuki go.
Ravana continuing came across kings whom he easily defeated in battle. He then across a king called Nipata and started fighting him. None could defeat the other. Brahma then appeared there and said it would be impossible to defeat one another, as both had been blessed with boons.
Both took leave of each other.

Staying there for sometime, Ravana decided to defeat Varuna, the God of Waters. He saw Surabhi, the celestial cow there and taking her blessings, he went knocked on the doors of Varuna. Varuna was not there and his sons attacked Ravana. Their arrows pierced Ravana who fainted. Seeing this, Ravana's commander attacked the brothers. The brothers went up in the sky and resumed fighting but were soon defeated.

Having won, Ravana resumed looking for Varuna. He was told Varuna had gone to meet Brahma. Not seeing Varuna, Ravana stole Varuna's noose and left.

Rama asked the sage - Where did Ravana go after that?
The sage said - Ravana heard that Bali was the king of the nether world. Ravana decided to go and fight him. He saw the palace of Bali that had been built by Vishwakarma, on the orders of Vishnu.
They saw a wonderful looking person guarding the doors of Bali. The person was dark in color and wonderful to look at. Ravana went and asked this person where he would find Bali. The person, who was none other than Vishnu, said Bali was inside.

Bali hearing Ravana had come, welcomed him. Bali asked Ravana the reason for his visit. Ravana said - I have heard that you are in the nether world because of Vishnu. Where is that person? I want to defeat him and free you.

Bali said You met him. He is the one guarding my door. There was none greater than Vishnu. This was the one who had slain Madhu and Kaitava and was the protector of the universe.

Ravana decided to go and fight Vishnu but could not see him at the door. He went back to Bali.

Bali realized that Ravana wanted war. Bali captured Ravana and made him his prisoner. When Ravana begged to be released, Bali sent him back and asked him never to return there. Ashamed Ravana left.

Rama asked - Where did Ravana go after this?

Ravana and Yama

The sage continuing said - Ravana kept looking for battle. One day, he came across Narada. Narada said people on earth were unhappy as they had to go to Yama, once their time on earth was over.
Ravana decided to go and fight Yama. Narada decided to follow and see the Ravana Yama battle.
Before Ravana, Narada went where Yama was sitting. Yama greeted teh sage and asked him why he had come to visit him, leaving the Three Gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) aside.
Narada said he had come to warn him about Ravana who was on his way for battle.
Yama looked and in the distance he could see Ravana coming, riding the Pushpaka chariot.

Ravana went through the eastern gate. He saw the pious and truthful ones being worshiped. In their earlier lives, the ones who had donated cows to brahmans, were swimming in pools of milk and butter. The one who had provided shelter to the homeless was now relaxing on golden cots.  He saw the ones who had been devotees of Vishnu, being treated with utmost care.

Ravana then crossed to the western and the northern gates and saw people being treated very well. He then proceeded towards the southern gate. This was a very dark area.There Ravana saw people being drowned in vats of oil and some being whipped. Hearing their pleas for help, Ravana went there. Ravana knew that he had sinned and he was affected by what he was seeing.

Rama asked the helpers of Yama to stop the torture. The helpers said they were just doing their duty and giving punishment to the people for what they had done in their lifetime. They said to Ravana that they were also keeping track of his sins and would be seeing him soon.

This angered Ravana. He started shooting arrows at the helpers. Seeing Ravana defeating his helpers, Yama, son of Surya, came out to fight, in his chariot.
A fierce battle started. Yama seeing no option, lifted up his noose, that he carried in his hand.

Brahma came to Yama and said Ravana was destined to die in the hands of Vishnu, born as a human. The noose of Yama would have no effect. Yama kept the noose down. In the battle. Ravana's army fled and soon Ravana alone was there, fighting.
The battle was terrible and none was able to defeat the other. On advise of Brahma, Ravana made himself invisible.

Ravana was happy thinking Yama fled, afraid of him. Ravana l

Ravana and Vali

Rama said to the sage - Where did he go from there.
Agastya said - Always ready for combat, Ravana roamed around. One day in Kishkindhya, he went to Vali's palace and asked for a fight. The people asked Ravana to flee else he would get killed. They said Vali was not present and had gone to perform his evening prayers.
Ravana went towards the southern sea where Vali was deep in meditation. Vali opened his eyes and saw Ravana there. Vali said It seems that your death has brought you here.
Vali wrapped his tail around Ravana and those rose to the sky. Ravana kept shouting asking to be released, but Vali did not care. He kept jumping from mountain to mountain, with Ravana being dashed against the rocks. Vali jumped towards the eastern sea and offered his prayers, Ravana still tied. From there, Vali went to the northern sea and offered his prayers. Ravana was nearly dead. With Vali visiting all the seas, he kept dipping his tail in the waters and Ravana was drinking the waters of the seas.
Going back to his palace, Vali asked Ravana if he wanted more.
Ravana begged for forgiveness and becoming friends with Vali, he left from there.

Ravana released from the dungeons

In the heavens, Pulastya heard of this. He came to Kartavirya. The king came and greeted the sage and said one who is worshiped by the Gods has come to me. I am blessed.
Pulastya said Ravana was a grandson of his and he came to plead for his release.

The king ordered Ravana to be brought there. Ravana came, with his head bent down.

Ravana then went away to Lanka and Pulastya went back to the heavens. 

Fight with Kartavirya Arjuna

Rama said The king was old and did not have the knowledge of the weapon of Brahma, which is why Ravana was able to win over.
The sage said - Ravana knew magic and it was difficult to defeat someone who was skilled in that art.
In the lunar dynasty was a king called Kartavirya Arjuna. Supposed to a descendant of Vishnu, this king had a thousand hands. The king was bathing in the waters of the river Narmada with his women, when Ravana appeared there, asking for battle. Seeing the welcoming waters of the river, Ravana also decided to take a in the water and wash off the blood from his body, which he had got from his battles. With his twenty hands, Ravana blocked the flow of water.
Kartavirya suddenly found himself in dry land. Suddenly Ravana removed his hands, and the water started gushing and the women in the water started getting swept away. With his thousand hands, Kartavirya controlled the flow of the water.  He then saw Ravana in the water, worshiping Shiva. The king sent a messenger to Ravana wanting to meet him.
Ravana saw the king in the water and said to the messenger - Tell your king that Ravana has come asking for battle.
A mighty battle started between the two. Ravana attacked with his twenty hands and his army, and the king fought along, using his thousand hands. Seeing a chance, the king grabbed Ravana by his hands and took him a prisoner. The rakshasas tried to pleed, but the king not listening, took Ravana inside his palace and put him in the dungeons. Ravana was chained up there.
Keeping him there, the king went back to the river. 

Fight with Anaranya

Marutta's sacrifice was something to write home about. He had mountains of gold and even Kubera was jealous of his wealth.

Rama smiled and said - Dear Sage, Do tell me where Ravana went after defeating Marutta. The sage said :

Ravana, always anxious to fight, kept a look out for the brave and was ready to attack them. If the other person accepted defeat Ravana left the person in peace, else a battle took place. Indra, knowing this, had accepted defeat.

There was a king called Anaranya who ruled Ayodhya. Hearing of him, Ravana went to him, asking for a fight. This king was an ancestor of yours, Rama.

Hearing that Ravana had come to fight, The king came out and a fight began. The king was brave and old. He fought hard. Both Ravana and the king were injured in the battle. Seeing a chance, Ravana struck the old king. The king said this was war - one had to loose someday, and win another day. One day someone will be born in my clan, in whose hand you will die.  Saying this, the old king died. 

Clash with Marutta

Rama asked - Where did Ravana go, after the incident with Vedavati?
The sage said - Ravana did not heed any curse or rebukes. He did what he felt like.
A king called Marutta was performing a sacrifice. The brahmans were chanting from the Vedas and the Gods came to take their offerings. Ravana arrived there.
Seeing Ravana, dissatisfied, the Gods left the place, disguised as animals.
Ravana called for out a fight.
Marutta said I do not know you. Please identify yourself first. Ravana said I am Dashanan, brother of Kubera. I rule Lanka.
Marutta said You are proud of the fact that you defeated Kubera and took over his kingdom.
He was able to get up when he realized that leaving the sacrifice unfinished would be a sin. He decided to accept defeat.
With Ravana leaving, the Gods appeared there. They blessed the animals who had helped them. Indra blessed the peacock saying it will have eyes on its feathers. The pheasant who had got a boon from Kubera and got a golden hue and a crown on its head. Swan got a boon to have a moon like hue, as a blessing from Chandra.
Crow got a boon from Yama to be devoid of illness. 

Vedavati

Rama asked Agastya, Please tell me more. Where did Ravana go after this?
Agastya said There was a beautiful maiden called Vedavati. Fair and pure, she was praying in the forests to get Vishnu as her husband. Ravana passing by saw her and wanted her.
Seeing a guest, Vedavati greeted him and gave him a seat. Buring with passion, Ravana asked Vedavati who she was.
She said was the daughter of Kushadhwaja and the grand daughter of Brihaspati. She was born when her father was reciting the vedas, thus she was named Vedavati. She wished to have Vishnu as her husband and was thus praying to him.
Ravana said Why go for a dark God as your husband when I am there. Vishnu is shrewd.
Vedavati said It was not proper to say such words about Vishnu.
Ravana then grabbed Vedavati by her hair and tried to pull her towards him.
Vedavati escaped and jumped into a blazing fire. She said She would be born again and would be cause of Ravana's destruction. In that birth, she would get Vishnu as her husband.

Vedavati was then born as Sita, who got you, Rama as her husband. It was because of her that Ravana died. 

Ravana attacks Kailasha

With his army, Ravana attacked Kubera. Yakshas came to fight. The Yakshas could not stand ground in front of Ravana and had to flee. Ravana then ventured into Kubera's palace. Seeing no other alternative, Kubera came out to face Ravana. Kubera said to Ravana - You have killed my able Yakshas whom I sent to fight you. Why do you want to fight me?
Ravana did not listen and struck Kubera. Kubera started showering arrows and Ravana seeing no other alternative started using magic to combat Kubera. Kubera could not fight an enemy who was not visible. Ravana then ransacked the city of Kubera and looted his wealth.
Ravana then decided to attack Shiva on Kailasha. He parked his chariot in the Shravana forest which was the birth place of Shiva's son, Kartikeya.
Some of the rakshasas asked Ravana not to climb the mountain where both Shiva and Durga were.
Ravana did not listen and continued till he came across Nandi, the door keeper of Shiva. Nandi had a face like a vanara. Seeing him, Ravana started laughing.
Nandi said - I am the door keeper of Shiva. Why do you come here? You laugh seeing my face. Remember, the vanaras will destroy you one day. You will be destroyed one day.
Ravana did not hear what Nandi said to him. Spreading his arms, Ravana grabbed the mount Kailasha and tried to lift it.
The mountain began trembling and the residents ran to Shiva, asking him to help. Shiva smiled and pressed the ground with his left toe. Ravana gave out a loud shriek . Taking his chariot, Ravana fled from there.

King of Lanka

Ravana came back and told his father about the boons. Sumali heard this. Malyavan, who had recovered and Sumali, along with Maricha, Mahodara and Prahastha came from the nether world to greet Ravana. There were four sons of Malyavan who came and befriended Vibhishana and decided to stay with him.
Malayavan said to Ravana - I came back because of you. I was hiding, fearing Vishnu, but with your boons, now you can save us all. Lanka belonged to the rakshasas which was taken away from us. We need to get that back. Send a messenger to Kubera and ask him to leave Lanka or fight.
Ravana said it was not fair to fight an elder. Kubera was his elder brother.
Hearing this Prahastha said - There have been many instances where brothers have fought each other for throne. Listen to me. Indra fought his step brother and became the king of heaven. Nagas are the step brothers of Garuda, who kills them whenever he sees them. You promised your mother, you will get back Lanka. Now, you are going back on your word.
Ravana was agitated. He immediately sent a messenger to Kubera. The messenger said he had come from Ravana who had asked the Lord of Wealth of vacate Lanka, which belonged to the rakshasas.
Hearing this, Kubera went to his father, asking for advice. Vishwashrava said Ravana was now powerful and difficult to win over. It was best, if Kubera left Lanka and lived in Kailasha.
He also sent a messenger to Ravana with his blessings. he said while he was leaving Lanka, he would not give away his wealth.
Ravana was crowned the king of Lanka by the rakshasas.
One day when the three brothers were hunting, they came across the demon called Maya. Ravana asked him, who he was. Maya said he needed to know first whom he was addressing. Ravana said he was the ten headed king of Lanka.
Maya said he was aware of Vishwashrava and then offered the hand of his daughter, Mandodari, to Ravana. Maya also gave a spear called Shakti which traveled at the speed of wind. This was the weapon that had struck Lakshmana. Kumbhakarna also got married to a rakshasa princess who was equal to him in size. Vibhishana married a gandharva princess called Sarama.
The three brothers returned back.
Soon Mandodari gave birth to a son called Meghnad. Seeing the child, the Gods were afraid.
Ravana ruled Lanka alongside indulging in luxuries. Kumbhakarna slept peacefully, with rakshasas arranging for his food, when he woke up.
Drunk with power, Ravana did not care for anyone and kidnapped any beautiful woman he saw.
Kubera sent a messenger to Ravana, asking him to stop tormenting the people. The messenger said it was not good to carry a curse of any one. Once Kubera had seen with his left eye, Durga and Shiva playing around. Hearing this, Durga had cursed him and the left eye had melted away.
Ravana was angry hearing this. He said Kubera was elder to him and should mind his business. Picking up his sword, he cut the head off, of the messenger.
Ravana then asked his army to get ready and decided to go and conquer Kubera. 

Boons for the brothers

Nikasha remained in the ashrama of her husband living a life like humans. One day Ravana was sitting on the lap of his mother, when Kubera came to see his father. Pointing to him, Nikasha said This is your step brother, the lord of wealth. He lives in Lanka which was ours. If you can win him and get Lanka, I will be happy.
Ravana said he would grab Lanka back. For that, he said, he needed to perform penance, please the Gods and get boons.
Along with his brothers, Ravana went and started praying. They chose the forest of Gokarna to pray. Kumbhakarna prayed standing upside down.In the summers, they stood near fire and prayed. In winters, they stood in cold waters and prayed. They forgot sleep and hunger. Soon their hair became matted and they were reduced to skin and bones. For five thousand years they prayed. The Gods were afraid. What did the rakshasas need? They went to Brahma and asked him to do something.
Brahma went to the brothers and asked them to ask for a boon. Ravana said he wanted to be immortal. Brahma said that would not be possible. Ravana said then he did not want anything else. Brahma went away and Ravana resumed his worship. Ravana then started cutting off and sacrificing his heads one by one. After nine heads were cut off, Ravana was about to cut off the last head with his sword when Brahma appeared before him and asked him to stop. Ravana asked for immortality which Brahma refused. Ravana then said if immortality was not possible, then he should be victorious when he fought Gods, Asuras, Yakshas. Brahma said So be it. Brahma said there were the humans and the vanaras left. Ravana said he did not fear them. Ravana then asked for his cut heads to be restored. Brahma said If your heads are cut off, you will not die.
Brahma then went to Vibhishana who asked that he should not sway from the path of truth. Brahma blessed Vibhishana with immortality.
Brahma then went to Kumbhakarna. The Gods were afraid seeing this. Kumbhakarna was ferocious even without any boons. What he asked for something. They asked Saraswati to intervene. They asked her to sit on Kumbhakarna's tongue. When Brahma asked him what he wanted, he was to say he wanted to sleep. The goddess entered his throat. When Brahma asked him what he wanted, he said he wanted to sleep for ever. Brahma said So be it. Saraswati left.
When Ravana heard this he appealed to Brahma to do something. Brahma said You brother will sleep for six months, wake for a day, then go back to sleep.. He will have immense strength and appetite. If he is woken untimely, he will meet his end. Brahma left and Ravana and Vibhishana then carried Kumbhakarna back home, on their shoulders.

Birth of Ravana

Rama asked Agastya How was Ravana born of a brahman. Kubera and Ravana are brothers, but why did they differ so much in their characters?
Agastya said Listen while I tell you about the birth of Ravana.
Pulastya was the son of Brfahma. He spent his life meditating. The apsaras wanted to win him but the sage was not moved. Soon, a daughter of a sage, who was incomparable in beauty, came there. She tried to woo over the sage but was unable to. Disturbed, the sage cursed her to become pregnant, This did not deter her, she still kept disturbing the sage. The sage then cursed her and milk started flowing from her breasts. The girl ran to her father.
The sage went to Pulastya and asked for the reason for the curses. Pulastya said he was being disturbed time and again by this girl. The sage said his unmarried daughter becoming pregnant would not be looked upon well. He asked Pulastya to do something. Pulastya said he could not think of anything. The sage then asked Pulastya to marry his daughter. Pulastya agreed.
Soon the marriage took place. The girl looked after Pulastya well and served him with devotion. Pleased Pulastya said You were cursed by me to become pregnant and the child that will be born will be equal to none. He will be a very learned person.
A son was born who was called Vishwashrava. Vishwashrava, when he grew up, married the daughter of the sage Bharadwaja called Lata. Kubera was born as the son of Lata.
Kubera did austere penances and Brahma pleased with his devotion granted him immortality. The other Gods blessed Kubera and made him the God of Wealth. He was given the chariot called Pushpaka which had been crafted by Brahma himself.
Pleased, Kubera went and told his father all this. Vishwashrava asked Kubera to occupy Lanka, from which the rakshasas had fled.
The rakshasas hiding in the nether world saw Kubera flying in his Pushpaka and living in Lanka.  They were filled with rage. Lanka was theirs. They then thought, If Vishwashrava had another son, then they had a chance of getting Lanka back.
Malyavan's daughter was sent for. Her name was Nikasha and she was very beautiful. She was asked to go and entice the sage and in turn get a boon of sons from him.
The sage was meditating in the evening when Nikasha approached him. The sage asked her who she was and she said she was someone who wanted a son. The sage said You can live here with me. You will have three sons and a daughter. The eldest will be a strong one who will win over worlds. The middle one will have great appetite. The daughter will be born next who will be ugly and also characterless. Nikasha hearing this was hurt. Is that all that is my destiny? These are your sons, will they not have your characteristics? The sage said you approached me when the fire was being extinguished. This is an evil moment. The last child born to you will be a righteous person who will save your dynasty.
Soon it was time for the children to be born.
The first child was born with with ten heads and twenty hands. This was Ravana. The next came Kumbhakarna. As soon as he was born, he ate up the women who had come to help in the child birth. The daughter, born next was very ugly. This was Surpanakha who had a very sharp nose. Vibhishana was born in the end.
The rakshasas, happy, came to see the children.

Ravana falls

Rama picked up the weapon and fitted it on his bow. Reciting the mantra, Rama released the arrow. The arrow struck Ravana and he fell down.

The Gods saw that and were not sure. There had been many instances when Ravana had fallen and gotten up again.

When the Gods were wondering, Rama thought for a while. This was devotee of mine who had been cursed to become a demon.

Rama said to Lakshmana - We have been in the forests for years now. We do not know the art of ruling a kingdom. Ravana is a great learned person. Go to him and learn all you can.

Ravana saw Lakshmana and said let me touch your feet.

Lakshmana said he had been sent by Rama to learn how to govern a kingdom.

Ravana said I am not sure why Rama wants to learn from me, when he knows all. Even then, if Rama wants to hear from me, I request you to please tell him to show himself. I am unable to get up and go to him.

Lakshmana went back to Rama and said Ravana would not say anything but was requesting to see Rama.

Rama went to Ravana.

Ravana looked at him. He said You are the Lord of the World. Please place your feet on my head. Forgive all my sins. You are the only One who exists.

Rama said I want to know from you. You had won over the worlds with your own force.

Ravana said I do not have much energy left and will say what I can.

Do not be a slave of laziness. Let me tell you of an incident.
One day I was passing the abode of Yama. In a corner in the south, I saw hell. I heard the plights of the people suffering there and thought of helping them. I then thought of coming back again. If I had fulfilled that task, hell would have vanished.

I am thinking of another incident. One day I wondered why the ocean was salty. It should made of cream and milk. I kept thinking of taking the salt out of the waters but I never was able to do it, as I kept postponing the task.

If you think you want to do something good, Rama, please do that then.

I once thought of creating a path to the heaven for all. I had thought of talking to Vishwakarma about this but never got down to do this. If I had, the path would have been there for all.

Let me tell you more. Laskshmana cut off Surpanakha's ears and nose. She gave me bad advise and I listened to her. If I had just listened to her and not paid heed to her words, we would not be seeing this day.

Soon Ravana became quiet. His soul left the body.

Ravana was no more,